substance

noun

sub·​stance ˈsəb-stən(t)s 

1

a

: essential nature : essence

b

: a fundamental or characteristic part or quality

the substance of her speech

c

Christian Science : god sense 1b

2

a

: ultimate reality that underlies all outward manifestations and change

b

: practical importance : meaning, usefulness

The … bill—which will be without substance in the sense that it will authorize nothing more than a set of ideas …

—Richard Reeves

3

a

: physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence

fabric of an unknown substance

b

: matter of particular or definite chemical constitution

a chemically pure substance

c

: something (such as drugs or alcoholic beverages) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction

possession of a controlled substance

substance abuse

4

: material possessions : property

a family of substance

substanceless

ˈsəb-stən(t)s-ləs 

adjective

see also:

in substance

Synonyms of substance

• potential
• material
• potentiality
• making

Examples of substance in a Sentence

The pancreas secretes a substance called insulin.

The floor was covered with a white, powdery substance that turned out to be flour.

heroin and other illegal substances

He had a history of substance abuse.

When has he ever said anything of substance?

The results of the study give substance to their theory.

the substance of my argument

Recent Examples on the Web

Affairs, substance abuse, behind-the-scenes controversies, and so much more— these celebrity memoirs have it all. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 6 July 2026

Ibogaine is a powerful psychoactive compound that has been used for decades to treat substance use disorders. — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026

Keeping people with mental illnesses and substance use disorders out of the jail and prison system has been a decades-long struggle in the state. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026

If any exposure to radiation poses a risk, then minimizing it is the clearest way to protect the health of people who work with radioactive substances. — ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin substantia, from substant-, substans, present participle of substare to stand under, from sub- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing substance

• a man/woman/person of substance
• be without substance
• controlled substance
• ground substance
• in substance
• queen substance
• substance P
• sum and substance
• working substance

Kids Definition

substance

noun

sub·​stance ˈsəb-stən(t)s 

1

a

: essential nature : essence

divine substance

b

: the fundamental or essential part, quality, or meaning

the substance of the speech

2

a

: physical material from which something is made

b

: material of particular or definite chemical constitution

an oily substance

c

: something (as drugs or alcoholic beverages) considered harmful and usually subject to legal restriction

substance abuse

3

: material possessions : property

a person of substance

Medical Definition

substance

noun

sub·​stance ˈsəb-stən(t)s 

1

: physical material from which something is made or which has discrete existence

the substance of nerve tissue

2

: matter of particular or definite chemical constitution

3

: something (as alcohol, methamphetamine, or marijuana) deemed harmful and usually subject to legal restriction

heroin is a controlled substance

substance abuse

Legal Definition

substance

noun

sub·​stance

1

: substantive law

was a question of substance and not process

compare procedure

2

: something (as language) essential especially to establishing a valid right, claim, or charge

a title defective in form, not substance